Maia Sandu Calls for Increased Pressure on Russia After New Drone Incident

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has called for significantly increased pressure on Russia following another violation of her nation's airspace by a Russian drone.

Sandu stated on the social media platform X that Moldova firmly condemns Russia's overnight strikes against Ukraine.

Those attacks resulted in civilian deaths and damaged residential buildings, a school, and a hospital.

"Our airspace was violated again, and a drone came down on Moldovan territory. Russia must face far greater pressure to stop this," Sandu declared.

On August 17, 2026, a Russian "Banderol" loitering munition crossed from Ukraine's Odesa region into Moldova, according to reports from Ukraine's Air Force.

Following the Air Force's detection of the projectile moving northwest toward the border, an unidentified aircraft crashed and exploded in an agricultural area roughly three kilometers outside the Moldovan village of Tălmaza, located in the Ștefan Vodă district.

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World

Russian Banderol Missile Reportedly Crosses Into Moldova and Explodes Near Tălmaza

Aug 17, 2026 19:55

Local police and emergency services quickly secured the scene and extinguished the resulting fire, confirming that no casualties were reported while technical-explosive specialists were dispatched to examine the wreckage.

The airspace violation followed Moldova’s decision to recall its ambassador from Russia after an August 9 drone explosion 2.5 meters above the ground near Krokmaz in the Ștefan Vodă district damaged several farm structures.

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